Gentleman.

A fascinating phone call earlier this rainy evening with a good friend and fellow railfan (and lifelong PRR buff) alerted me to the following:

Though a lifelong devotee of the workaday K-4's, I have long loved the late, great T-1.

Here was a magnificent engine that was so sleek and futuristic at the time it was developed, it appeared to be streaking along at great speed even at rest.

For all of its majestic appearance, however, the T-1 had a number of issues which led to the type's very early demise.

In his excellent little book, "FIRING ON THE PENNSY", retired PRR fireman Paul C. Dietz made it clear that he did enjoy his time firing on the T-1's, despite their issues.

".......I liked the streamlined appearance (of the T-1) and they were really fast.......on straight stretches the T-1 could roll along at 120MPH or better....."

IMHO, unlike the time-honored, hard-working K-4's that seemed to be plying PRR rails ever since the Lord said "Let There Be Light", the T-1 is an engine that quite often appears to be forgotten in the grand scheme of things.

To see even a full-scale replica of one of these magnificent, haughty speedsters would indeed be a sight never to be forgotten.

Truly tragic that even one of these handsome engines was not earmarked for preservation when they were retired, if only as a static exhibit...........

Here's my patch from donating to the project.

Henry

Click Image to Resize

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Re: The Mighty T-1/Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

« Reply #11 on: Oct 29th, 2015, 10:24am »

Henry:

Thanks for posting; when my finances are a little better, I also plan to contribute something to this grand and noble endeavor!

As I had stated in my original post, this project was totally unknown to me until last evening; to say I was nearly blown away is a gross understatement, you may be sure!

Recall LIONEL's handsome PRR turbine, back in the 50's; just imagine if they had also offered a T-1 as well.......man, oh, man!

I have two T-1 vintage toys (plastic) in my collection today; one is about "N" scale in size, while the larger is roughly AMERICAN FLYER size (the smaller one also has a tender)

Today, in 2015, many, many years after the last T-1 disappeared, we can only imagine what the story might have been had the T-1's had been a success, and went on to pull fast passenger runs for more years than they ever ran in real life?

MAYBE....just MAYBE.....had they survived in service a few years later, ONE might have been saved.

As I had said earlier, even a STATIC display engine is far better than none at all, providing it is given a steady diet of TLC and respect, and NOT allowed to rust and decay outdoors, and at the mercy of the elements and mindless vandals.......

(courtesy: joesherlock)

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Re: The Mighty T-1/Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

« Reply #18 on: Nov 11th, 2015, 2:00pm »

Never saw a T-1 (or for that matter, ANY Pennsy steam engine) in service, but would certainly love to see a T-1. or for that matter, a Q1 or Q2.

Even a display replica of a T-1 would something, much less a runner.

I have, somewhere, a report of test run on Chessie with a borrowed T-1. Didn't result in buying or leasing T-1s, at least on the run tested didn't offer anything, or enough, more than a Kanawha, it appears. It did suggest that the T-1 wasn't unduly slippery, despite its reputation.

Re: The Mighty T-1/Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

« Reply #19 on: Nov 11th, 2015, 3:25pm »

Never saw a T-1 (or for that matter, ANY Pennsy steam engine) in service, but would certainly love to see a T-1. or for that matter, a Q1 or Q2.

Even a display replica of a T-1 would something, much less a runner.

I have, somewhere, a report of test run on Chessie with a borrowed T-1. Didn't result in buying or leasing T-1s, at least on the run tested didn't offer anything, or enough, more than a Kanawha, it appears. It did suggest that the T-1 wasn't unduly slippery, despite its reputation.

Clyde:

Agreed 100%, my friend!

When I was born in Jersey City (January, 1957), the PRR was still using K-4's on their trains to Bay Head Jct. (NY&LB) out of their old Jersey City terminal (Exchange Place), which closed in late 1961.

Being the last steamers in use in my area at the time, for that reason, the K-4's have been my long-time favorite Pennsy steamer (the ERIE and the CNJ had abolished the last of their steam power only a few years earlier)

The only K-4 I ever saw personally was from the BROADWAY many years ago, on static display at the Horseshoe Curve.

I totally agree with you; a STATIC display T-1 would be FAR better than nothing at all; to see such a stunning and futuristic engine on display would indeed be an awesome experience, never to be forgotten........